“The federal cuts have been very difficult for states to manage,” said economist Bert Waisanen of the National Conference of State Legislatures. “Governors have to run programs like Medicaid, No Child Left Behind, homeland security. But there is less and less money coming from Washington to pay the bills.”

Norquist might scream at these governors, but he is obviously becoming increasingly marginal. That’s what happens when you get so insulated in Washington’s power structure you lose all touch with reality.